Alternating-current relay



June 24, 1930. J. F. MERKEL ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAY Filed Aug. 31. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTO June 24, 1930.

J. F. MERKEL ALTERNATING CURRENT RELAY Filed Aug. 31, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g INVEN OR 'A ORNEY Patented June 24, 1930 1 UNITED ST TES PATENT :orn'cs JOSEPH FRED MEB KEL, OI ROCHESTER, NEW 1631!, LSSIGNOR TO GENERAL BLILWLY SIGNAL'COIPAJIY, 01' ROCEESTEBQNEW YORK ALTEBNATING GURRENT RELAY Application ma August a1, 1926. Serial in. 182,835.

Thisv invention relates to alternating current relays for railway signaling, and refers more particularly to a relay of the single element vane type.

The objects of this invention are to simplify and improve the construction of vane type alternating current rela s so that the can be cheaply manufacture with a mimmum of labor in assembly and adjustment;

to provide a unitary type of structure for sup orting and alignin the moving elements of t e relay relative to t e core and coil structure; to incorporate within the relay 0. simple form of spark gap lightning arrester for pro- 5 viding protection to all terminals and bearings; to make a vane in suchform as to minimize the tendenc to warp or distort due to local heating un er energized conditions; to provide means for facilitating a predetermined adjustment of the contact fingers relative to their fixed contacts; and in several other particulars to be pointed out herein: after, to arrange the proportion of parts to facilitate manufacture, inspection, and repair.

Further objects, purposes and character.

, istic features of this invention will appear as the description progresses. By the we of illustration, one form of so device embo ying the resent invention is shown in the accompanying drawings where- 1n Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a relay constructed in accordance with this invention,

as parts being shown in section and portions of the structure being removed to more clearly show the construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device with parts shown in section and portions ofthe structure removed for more clearly showing the construction.

Fi 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3-3 of ig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

' viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a detailed plan View of oneof the lightning arrester elements.

Fig; 6 is a side elevation of the magnetic core structure used in the relay.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the terminal posts, with parts shown in elevation, and

Fig. 8 is a detailed side elevation of one of the supporting side plates of the device. 53

Referring to the drawings, the relay shown comprises a circular base 1, preferabl a stamped product, formed with a flat she f 2 around its outer circumference and having a central depression 3. The 'top plate l is cire0 cular in form and is made of porcelain or similar insulating material having the necessary strength and insulating roperty, and is likewise formed with a sheli 5 around its outer edge. formed of a cylindrical glass 6 which rests on gaskets 7 supported on the shelves on the top. plate and base. The top late and base are clamped together with the glass 6 between, by means of four through bolts 8 to having suitable nuts on their ends.

For supporting the various elements of the relav, there are provided two spaced side plates 9 which are formed with their vertical edges half rounded in order to partly sur round the connecting bolts 8 as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. These side lates are wholly supported from the top ate 4 by means of integral ears 10, through which the bolts 8 pass, the ears being clamped against so the top plate by means of nuts 11 held from turning on the bolts 8 by means of flattened sides 12 on the side lates, anddrawn up against the top plate y means of threade washers 13 received on the bolts, and lodged an in sockets or depressions in the top face of the top plate. These side plates are preferably stamed products and are cut away as shown in ig. 8 to form somewhat resilient upstanding opposed arms 14, and cross straps 9o 15, for a purpose to be later explained.

The magnetic core structure, Fi 6, is built u of punched laminae shape in the form 0 a C to provide a back yoke- 16 and horizontal inturned legs 17 terminating adjacent each other for formin an air gap. Each lamina is sheared entirely through along a line 18 concentric with a central pivot bolt 19, to form one air gap er lamina, bolt 19 passing through the bee strap of The walls of the relay are as the cone, and the lamina are stacked with speeessive lamina having these air gaps at .op tesides of the bolt 19 to'thereby fo' jointaboutthe bolt. Inthismam the bolt 'l9 so as to separate the legs 17 for facilitat ng mounting of ils thereon. The are heldtogether'by fourtubular rivets 20 the ends of shown in Fig. 8. I

, clamp lates are formed with outwardly u bulged on their inner'surfacesto commodate the spun over ends of the rivets 20. In ears23areformedontheclam plates forconn fif fi ifi ii hhi ts so att coreisw supo 1 romthesesideplatestl,j

. .The facesofthecorel' "l7 are'slot 'v tedin tfiusualmannerand rovided to core andalsoconnect 7. 137. to the which leaf springs outwardly away from i thesideof the wl'0.@

v 'Thee'oils 2s m meats s ots of suitableinsulating sucli'as molded bakelite for. the like; the" .apertures'in the s ls be made'l'a j enough to slip over ends core 17 -and the-projec shade jectionsformed bythe. shade rings an the clamp plates 21," so as .'to hold them firmly .in place and prevent any sliding on the core, as isbestshowninFig. 3. w w

The vane 29fis made of suitable cheap "preferably; aluminum, and is b means of screws y ecting mm and formed mte 5; an arm 31 mi 'gral with a counter-weight 32 which is held 'itsspindlesoastoleavebothitsinnerand ingits ener readily dissi of the vane. This is of very considerable importance in view of the fact that the relay is energized during the major part of the time when in service. The wine spindle 83 is pivoted to the. side lates 9, between the-upnper ends of the resilrent arms 14, in anti- 'ction bearing comprising bushings 34 fixed'in the side plates 1s and having threaded to receive bear- "Iner 0 core can be readily opened out about whichare spun over, as Clamp m 21'of U-shape are the on either side of the core by means of bolts 22 passing through the rivets 20, and

the lates and the lam1-- I ,with' shade 25 which project .the amount Y u of their 'clmess' to one side of the core, in the usual msnnenlf Rivets 26 fasten the shade.

tofthef'core on theside op-f l Aiterslipingthecoilsover eends' of ecorelegs esprings27forcethecoils sidewise toposition them .betweenthe ro-' fastened-at its u edge at several inte- B Otothelowered zeof on the 'vane spindle 83 by means of asst 'screw34." Thsvaneisthusspscedawayfrom outer edges free and due to this heat; generated in the vane byeddycurrents 'dur- 'tioncan be much'more' pated and thus prevent warping? time having sockets at their inner, 9

supporting sleeve jewel bearings 86 and 18W8l step -bearings 37 for receiving the reduced trun'nionsBS of the vane spindle. Lock nuts 89 are for holdingthe bearingscrews m set. 'tion. Thevane s indl mm an arms 14-- e f theeimis ihmreailientlymountsd sothatwear'onthebearingssndtrunnions beautomatically compensated for acsiliencyofthearms. 'n m hasbeenfoundinpracticethatwitha bearings are often cracked & ad mentofthe ingupofthe extent.

ingpfthe bearings, e spring arms automatically up any areas pressure the betfianngs it e screws 3511c adjuded insulating material molded directly a splindle 41 pivoted between the straps 15 of esideplatestha'n'dsu rtedinsmtable adjustable bearings 42 w ch can all) be, jeweledinthesamemannerasiorthevans" indle,isodesired. Asinthecasewitht evanespindlethebearingsforthespindle '41arercadily adjustable. The carrier has hssanintegralarm-t8iormedthereonto which is connected a with suitable contacts 51 in the man-- v e-barrier 1m w istler-med c! If bentbackparallel an be- I mounting tor the vaue'spindle the jewelifip :indle bearings due to tighten-- screws to too great an The resilient mounting in this device efieetuall prevents such crack-- i is hot I it Q armor fork44,the lowerireeend ofhch branch of theforkbeing toitselfiasatfitoformbearingsuppolb nen Thecontactllngversarefastenedto the carrier bar by pasing them over studs 52 molded in the insulating material formingthebar'and clampedth by means of nuts 52 screwed on studs. Theo carrier bar has depreaions formed in ts 1 lvlver fa'tczrgnund thzlfiuds 52 for receivingt econ gers, aiding intheassembly, as shown at 58 in Fig. 4.

The terminal 'or binding posts for supporting the fixed contacts, both front and ack, and lead in wires for the contact fingers, are supported in the top plate 4 and stem 54 in the top are shown most clearly. in 7. Each terminal post'yincludes a three. edstem 54 with an enlargedhead 55 havin at one end a hexagonal portion 56 snugly tting'into a groove 57 formed in the lower face ofthe top plate 4 and preventing'turning of-the late. The post is clamped to the top p ate by means of a threaded. washer 58' received in, and. bearing against the bottom'of a socket 58 formed in the upper surface of the top plate, to firmly t e washer 58 and the hexagonal head portion 56 of the stem.

. A washer 59 covers the socket in the top.

ock nut as shown while the upper portion P of the threaded stem 54 receives the usualwashers and nuts' for )connecting lead-in I each post carrying'a fixed two rods 63 positioned just be wires.

A threaded bore in the enlarged head of I contact, receives the threaded stem 60 of the fixed contact which isxpreferably' formed of a cylindrical block of carbon 61, impregnated with a small percentage of copper, and' gripped in a slotted cup 62 carried b of the cup being slotte to more readily permit its being crimped in to firmly hold the carbon block in place. A look nut 62 operates to hold thestem in its adjusted position. It will be noted that with the construction described above the'fixed contacts can be readily adjusted in position without disturbing the clamping of the posts to the top plate. The posts for connecting lead-in wires to the contact fingers, are constructed as just described, except for the fixed contacts being replaced by screws and nuts 62 -for connection of lightning arrester arms and wires thereto. A

Extending between the side plates 9 are ow the top plate and in proximity to the inner ends 0 the various terminal posts. A metal stra 81 connects one of these rods to a roun post 82 carried b the top plate. 11 this manner the side p ates and rods 63 are electrically interconnected and the whole is grounded. v Connected to the inner end of each of the terminal posts are conducting arms 64013 65 extending toward the rods 63 but spaced therefrom to form an air gap. The arms 64 are connected to the posts carrying the fixed contacts, while the pairs of arms 65, are connected to posts carrying lead-in wires 'for the contact fingers. By bending these arms,

the size of the air gaps between the arms and the rods can be readily adjusted.

Each arm 64 isconnected to a contact carrying terminal post by means of a perforated portion 66 received on the stem 60 of the fixed contact and positioned between the hexagonal portion 56 and the lock nut 62 The pairs of diametrically opposed outplate and is held in position by a suitable;

the stem 60, the rim.

standing ears'67 are formed on the portion 66, one pair of which is bent u wardly about the hexagonal portion 56 o the head on' stem 60, while the other pair is bent downwardly around the lock nut 62 thus holding acting to lock the lock-nut 62 in place. w

Each pair of arms 65 is formed to extend to opposite sides of a perforated portion 68 about the nut in order to lock it in position,

arr-ester is rovided for all of the terminal posts and a o for the bearings of the vane and carrier bar spindles.- It is of course understood that in each of the circuits protected by this lightning arrester-there will be suflicient inductance to force the lightnin to discharge across the gap between a rod 63 and the adjacent arm and thento ground, rather than through the contacts and contact fingers. The lightning will also take a path through the side plates 9 and the ground connection rather than across the bearings for the spindles 33 and 41.

In order to bring the vane 29 to a position of rest in a gradual manner and wi h.- out shock in its de-energized position, a back stop is provided. This back stop, as most clearly shown in Fig. 1,,comprises two spaced, parallel, resilient arms 71, formed of a fairly stifi' wire in the example shown, fastened at their upper ends to the top plate 4 by means of-bolts 7 2, and bent over on themselves at their lower ends, to form elongated downto the contact fingers, by means of a nut and screw 62, with the ears 69 bent upwardly wardly inclined narrow loops 73, furnishing f bearings for a roller 74 trunmon therein.

The roller 74 is positioned directly in the path of travel of the vane, and is forced from.

is also a certain amount of sliding movement between the roller 74 and the vane which sets up some little friction and thereby dissipates a certain amount of the energy of the vane. It is of-importance to have the roller 74 suported in. a resilient bracket, so that the racket itself can aid in cushioning the motion of the vane in bringing it to rest.

In a like manner, in order to bring the vane gradually to rest, without shock, in its energized position (the dotted line position of Fig. 1) a front stop is provided which comprises a fiat strap 75 of rigid material fastened at the upper end by bolt 76 to the top plateand carrying at its lower end, directly in the path of travel of the vane, a resilient arm 77 bent as shown in the drawing, and normally biased away from the bracket 75.

70 the projecting arm64 1n fixed position and I able ta ta! tact wit the stationary back and front con when the vane contacts with the. arm 77, the

arm exerts a greater resistance to bendin ,by

, exerting a truss resistance and thus brmgs the vane to a position of rest. 'In'practice it has-been found undesirable to use a sto v havi a dead weight such as the roller 4 as 'a rent stop, since in its energized a rapidly 'uctuating force andthis normally sets .up a vibration of the vane which causes verycensider'able wear on the bearings of the vane spindle 33; By using the spring arm 77 as described above, thisvibration of the ...vane .is dam and the vane is brought to .a position 'o rest in the energized position. Furthermore on de-energizing the rela the .spring arm 77 biases the vane towar its other extreme sition and aids in preventing an sti o the parts. adjusting, the contact fingers, it is desirition them so that they first con- 'tacts, some, little time before the vane reaches either ofits extreme positions. -In order to aid in thisadjustment and to permit a uniform adjustment of the fingers, two indi- Q8 eating marks 79 and 80are placed on one sideof the vane. The contact fingers 48 are .bent so as tofirst touch the fixed contacts I a when one of'the marks 79 0 1 80 is brought opposite the left edge of a side plate 9, as '88 viewed in 1. 'An indica pointer could uall y well be used, if fired, and

be attac ed to some fixed part of the relay. The mark 79 is usedfor ad usting the fin rs which co -act with the front contacts w ile with the back contacts. The travel of the vane comprised between the extreme positions and the points at which the marks 79 plate, operates to press the movable contacts 51 inst'the stationary contacts to cause the esired wipe and pressure.

An inspection of Fi 2 will show thatthe vane and'the eoilsan core are so arranged as to permita'n unobstructed vview through the air p at. both sides ofthe'vane, on looking t rough opposite side walls of the This pernnts ready in?ection of the relayin order to ascertain w ether 'ornot any obstruction has lodged'between' the vane and the pole faces, without any necessity for taking the relay apart. By positioning the core with its back strap below the vane and at right angles thereto, the core presents as is not intended in any manner whatsoever,

'tion, the vane is driven with the mark 80 is used for adjusting those 00- and so register with the edge ofthe side on the me spindle r rality of contact weight fixed to the spindle,

no interference to an unobstructed view in a limiting sense. Various changes, rearrangements of parts, and mOdifiCI-tIOfi as come within the sec of the'append claims, can be made'wi out departing from the present invention.

I new claim L Ina re1ay,-a top plate, spaced side plates carried by the top plate, a horizontal carrier bar pivoted to the side plates, a vane spindle pivoted to the side plates and substantially parallel to the earner bar, a vane on the spindle, portions of each side plate cut away to form upstan integral, ient arms between which e vane spindle is mounted, and an operating connection between the carrier bar and the vane indle.

2. In a relay, atop plate, spaced side plates carried by the top plate, a horizontal carrier bar pivoted to the side plates, a vane spindle pivoted to the side plates and substantially parallel'to the earner bar, a wane on the spindle, portions of each side plate cut away to form upstan ient arms between which e vanesp is mounted, and an opera connection be- 5. In a relay, a top plate, spaced side plates suspended from the top late a horizontal carrier bar spindle pivo in e side plates, a vane spindle pivoted in the side plates parallel to the carrier bar indle, induction means supported by the si e lates, a vane with the induction means, and an 0 rating connection between the vane spin e and. the carrier bar spindle,

6. a relay, a pivoted carrier bar, aplufin rs on the bar, an o ratmg member on the arhavin a forked ower end, a pivoted vane spin e, a counteran extending arm integral with the counter-wie ht, a vane fixed to the arm and wholly spaced from the spindle, and an operating cam integral with the counter-weight for co-acting with the forked lower end 0 said operating member to operative] interconnect the carrier bar and the spm e.

7. Ina relay, a pivoted carrier bar, a pivoted vane spindle, substantially parallel with and carrier bar, an arm extending from the indle, an operating cone SPlIldlO and carrier bar,

In s extending from the too III

and induction means forming an air gap through which the vane is positioned to move.

8. In an alternating current relay, a laminated' core defining ,a narrow air gap, coils on the core,.,a pivot pin passing through all of the laminae of the core, successive laminae being sheared entirely through, on opposite sides-of the, pivot pin, along lines concentric with the axis of the pin, so as to form a hinged I joint about'the pin'topermit opening out the core for facilitating sliding of, the coils onto the core. Y

9. Inan electro-magnet, a substantially C shaped laminated core, shade rings in the ends of the core and projecting to one side thereof, a clam plate fastened to each side of the core an forming projections spaced to hold it between the projections formed by the shade ring and clamp plate. Y

10. In an electro-magnet, a substantially C shaped laminated core, shade rings in the ends of the core and-projecting to one side thereof, a clamp late fastened to each side of the core and orming projections spaced from the shade rings, a coil having an opening large enough to he slipped over anend of the core and its projecting shade ring, a

leaf spring fixed to the core and sprung outwardly thereof for biasing the coil to one side of the core to hold it between the projelctions formed by the shade ring and clamp p ate.

11. An electro-magnet core having a straight end, a shade ring in, and projecting to one side of, said end, a clamp plate bolted to the side of the core and pro ecting there-' from at a point spaced from the shade ring, a closed coil slidable over the end of the core and shade ring, and means biasing the coil sidewise of the core to hold it between the projections formed by the'shade ring and clamp plate.

12. In a relay, a casing, a spindle pivotally mountedin the casin a swinging vane fastened thereto, and a ack stop for the vane, including, two spaced resilient arms fixed to the casing with the end of each arm bent back on itself to form parallel downwardly inclined elongated loops, and a roller slidably trunnioned in the loops and in the path of the swinging vane.

13. In a relay, a casing, a vane pivoted to swing in the casing, and a front stop for the vane including, a rigid bracket fixed to i the casing and projecting into the path of the swinging vane, a resilient arm fixed to. the bracket with its free end spaced therefrom, the resilient arm being directed toward, and

in the path of, the vane, inadvance of the rigid bracket, for resiliently and positively arresting motion of the vane in one direction.

14. In a relay, a casing,a vane pivoted to swing .in the casing, a front stop for the vane 'including, a rigid bracket fixed to the casing and pro ecting into the path of the swinging vane, a resilient arm fixed to the bracket with its free end spaced -t herefrom,'

ing fixed contacts and electrical connections for the contact fingers, conductingrods passmg adjacent the terminal posts and connected across the casing, an arm connected to each rod to furnish a spark ap, and means for groundingthe casing, w ereby to furnish a spark gap lightning arrester for each terminal post and trunnion.

16; In 'a relay, a caslng, a carrier bar mounted on trunnions in the casing, contact fingers on the carrier bar, a top plate on the casing, terminal posts in the top plate carrying fixed contacts and electrical connections for the contact fingers, conducting rods passing adjacent the terminal posts and connected across the casing, a flexible arm connected to each post and terminating just short of a rod for furnishing an adjustable spark gap, and means for grounding the casing, whereby to furnish a spark gap lightning arrester for each terminal post and trunnion.

17. In a relay, a metal frame, an insulating top plate on the frame, terminal posts in the top plate, conducting means connected to the frame and passing 'adjacent the terminal posts, a conducting arm connected to each post and terminating adjacent the conductfor grounding the frame.

18. In a relay, a metal frame, an insulating top plate on the frame, terminal posts in the top plate, conducting means connected to theframe and passing adjacent the terminal posts, a conducting arm connected to each post and terminating adjacent the conducting means to form a spark gap, each arm comprising, a perforated disc received on a post and two pairs of opposed projecting fingers, a nut for locking each disc to the post, one pair of fingers being bent about the post, and the outer post being bent about said nut,

whereby to hold each arm in fixed position ost and terminating adjacent a conducting lee ter-weight, induction means for swinging the vane, a dependin fork on the carrier bar, the ends of the for being bent back on themselves in spaced relation, pins passing through the spaced end portions, rollers mounted on the pins and a cam integral with the counterweight and in constantoperative engagement with the rollers of the fork for rocking the carrier bar.

20. In a relay, a frame, a top plate on the frame, stationary contacts carried by the top plate, a spindle pivoted in the frame, acarrier bar formed of insulating material moulded directly on the spindle, and contact fingers on the carrier bar cooperating with the stationary contacts. Y e

21. In a relay, a frame, a top late on the frame, stationary contacts carrie by the top plate, aspindle pivoted in the frame, a carrier bar formedof insulating material moulded directly on the spindle, contact fingers carried by, and extending to either side of the bar, and cooperating with the stationar contacts, each contact finger being forme of a single piece of resilient material connected to a backing member of stifl material arranged to prevent flexing of the finger in one direction.

22. In a relay, a frame, a top late on the frame, stationary contacts carrie by the top late, a spindle pivoted in the frame, a carrier Ear formed of insulating material moulded directly on the spindle, mounting slots in the tact fingers positioned in the mounting slots carrier bar, projecting threaded studs moulded in thebar at the mounting slots and conand held to the carrier bar on the studs.

23. In a relay, a casing, a carrier bar pivoted in the casing, contact fingers mounted on the carrier bar, a top late for the casing,

by nuts threaded grooves in the under sur ace of the top plate, and terminal posts in the top plate carrying stationary contacts cooperating with the contact fingers, each terminal post and stationary contact including, a threaded stem passing through the top plate, a flat sided head at one end thereof fitting into one of the grooves in the under side of the top plate to prevent turning of the stem in the plate, a socket in the upper side of the top plate, a nut threaded on the stem and bearing against the bottom of said socket to clamp the top plate between the nut and the stem head, a washer on the stem covering the socket and nut, wire attaching means on the stem, a threaded bore in the stem head and inner end of the stem, a threaded shank in the threaded bore car ing a. stationary contact, and a nut for 100 ing the shank in the threaded bore.

24. In a relay, a casing, a carrier bar pivoted in the casing, contact fingers mounted on the carrier bar, a top plate for the casing, grooves in the under surface of the top plate, and terminal posts in the top plate carrying nature.

stationary contacts cooperating with the contact fingers, each terminal post and stationary contact including, a threaded stem passing through the top plate, a flat sided head on the stem positioned in one of the grooves in theninner face of the top plate, a socket in the outer face of the plate around the stem, a nut on the stem bearing against the bottom of the socket and drawing the stem head against the plate, and a contact cup carried on a stem screwed into the stem head.

25. In a relay, a casing comprising, a top plate, a base and transparent side plates, a horizontal vane spindle, a vane on said spindle, and an electro-magnet having poles terminated adjacent each other on opposite sides of the vane to form an air gap, the back strap of the magnet being vertically below the vane shaft whereby to permit an unobstructed view through theentire air gap from one side of the casing through the op osite side.

In testimony whereof I ereby atfix my sig- 

